As treaties and trade agreements are implemented this year, more U.S. companies are looking at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations for fresh business opportunities. Fortunately, a whole host of logistics and transportation service providers are laying the groundwork to overcome inherent infrastructure challenges.

Today, U.S. trucking companies face more regulations than any time in history—and they claim this “regulatory tsunami” is putting the clamp on U.S. productivity. During this session shippers will gain a better understanding of the current state of trucking regulations (HOS & CSA) and the impact they're having on capacity and rates.

Irrespective of political concerns or positions, the current upheaval in Egypt must not result in the closing of the Suez Canal.

With anarchists planning a “million man march” in Cairo tomorrow, along with a nationwide strike, transport analysts are rightly concerned about a profound disruption in the global supply chain.

This vital economic link and resource is operated by what is left of the Egyptian government. It’s closure, if even temporary, could send oil prices soaring. Never mind what this will mean to container traffic.

So far, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has yet to determine if an emergency meeting is necessary this week, but by all observation, they should not wait long.

Meanwhile, the Suez Canal Authority is reporting “normal” container vessel traffic today, with approximately 50 ships deployed through this vital artery linking the Red Sea to the Med.

With tensions in the region growing and “anti-West” sentiment taking hold, our greatest fear now is that attacks may actually be made on shipping companies and on the Canal Authority itself.

About the Author

Patrick BurnsonExecutive Editor

Patrick Burnson is executive editor for Logistics Management and Supply Chain Management Review magazines and web sites. Patrick is a widely-published writer and editor who has spent most of his career covering international trade, global logistics, and supply chain management. He lives and works in San Francisco, providing readers with a Pacific Rim perspective on industry trends and forecasts. You can reach him directly at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Subscribe to Logistics Management magazine

Subscribe today. It's FREE!

Get timely insider information that you can use to better manage yourentire logistics operation.

Recent Entries

The Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) reported this week that U.S. trade with its North America Free Trade Agreement partners Canada and Mexico in January dropped 1.2 percent to $89.3 billion.

In today's supply chain, the only constant is change.
Our white paper 'Change Your Perspective: Four Keys to Effectively Adapting to Rapid Change in the Distribution Center Environment' provides key insights on not only adapting to trends, but which trends will enable you to achieve running the warehouse of the future.